Nigeria Unveils National Dairy Policy To Reduce Imports, Boost Domestic Production

News in Brief: - Nigeria has launched the National Dairy Policy on World Milk Day to address the country's reliance on dairy imports. - The policy aims to improve dairy farming practices, attract investment in processing, and encourage collaboration among stakeholders to boost domestic production. Nigeria's Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sabi Abdullahi, announced the implementation of a National Dairy Policy on the occasion of World Milk Day. The comprehensive policy, to be introduced on 4 June 2024, aims to address the country's reliance on dairy imports and revitalize the domestic dairy sector. Speaking during the event which tok place at the nation’s capital, Abuja, the minister highlighted the significant cost of dairy imports, with Nigeria spending an estimated $1.5 billion annually. This figure is attributed to a nearly 60% production deficit as national consumption of milk and dairy products averages 1.6 billion liters per year. Expectedly, the National Dairy Policy will save this expenditure by bolstering domestic production. Additionally, Abdullahi outlined various initiatives encompassed by the policy framework including improved dairy farming, investment in Processing and Preservation, and evidence-Based Policy Implementation. It also prioritises collaboration and Public-Private Partnerships, and technology and Innovation. The Commercial Dairy Ranchers Association of Nigeria (CODARAN) expressed optimism about the National Dairy Policy. Muhammadu Abubakar, the association's president, emphasised the industry's potential for wealth creation and nutrition security. He called for continued government support and urged industry players to invest in backward integration to strengthen the domestic dairy value chain.